Check Out These Fun Facts About New Year’s Resolutions and Traditions

No matter where you celebrate the New Year, most of the tried-and-true traditions stay the same. If you’ve ever wondered why we make New Year’s resolutions or watch the ball drop at midnight, you’ll love these fun facts about the first holiday of the year.

The top three New Year’s resolutions among Americans are losing weight, getting organized, and spending less money.

Although 45 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, only about 8 percent actually stick with them the whole year through!

Even if you don’t complete your resolution, studies show that you are 10 times more likely to achieve your goals than a person who doesn’t make a resolution at all.

The most popular New Year’s Eve song, “Auld Land Syne,” is an old Scottish song that dates all the way back to 1796.

While you’ve probably watched the ball drop in Times Square for as long as you can remember, the tradition first began at midnight in 1907. The first ball was made of iron and wood, while today’s is made of Waterford crystal.

Many historians believe that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions.

While Americans celebrate at midnight with noisemakers, the Spanish celebrate by eating twelve grapes to achieve happiness in the upcoming year. In the Netherlands, people burn their holiday trees, while the Greeks eat a cake with a gold coin baked inside.